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Academy Staff 2011/12

Posted on: Wed 04 Jan 2012

KEVIN THELWELL - ACADEMY MANAGER

Kevin Thelwell

Kevin arrived at Wolves as Academy boss in April, 2008. Previously he had worked at Derby County where - at just 32 years of age - he became the youngest Academy Manager in the country. He briefly took the reins of the Rams' first team when they parted company with Billy Davies.

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Before moving to Pride Park in 2006 Kevin was director of youth development at Preston. He holds the UEFA Pro Licence, the highest coaching qualification in football, and has previously spent four years with the Welsh FA as course director for the UEFA 'A' and PRO licences for managers.  He has continued this coach education role at Wolves,  providing ongoing training for Wolves part time coaches providing training for a large number of coaches from local junior clubs.

During his time at the club Kevin has also helped the Academy continue to develop and improve its programme with scholars such as Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and James Spray forcing their way into the first team squads and Johnny Gorman becoming one of the youngest players in history to earn senior recognition with Northern Ireland.

 

The 2009/10 season also saw the Academy Under-18s side post one of their best seasons of results.

MICK HALSALL - ASSISTANT ACADEMY MANAGER U16s/U18s

Mick Halsall 

 

Mick Halsall made the short trip across the Black Country to join Wolves in the summer of 2009 after a hugely successful decade bringing a host of young players through the ranks at Walsall, including Matty Fryatt and Scott Dann.

 

A highly respected figure in the game, he has also been caretaker manager of Walsall on several occasions during his lengthy spell with the Saddlers.

 

Born in Bootle in Merseyside, as a player Mick stacked up almost 400 appearances with Birmingham, Carlisle, Grimsby and Peterborough.

 

Having become something of a legend at Peterborough even before captaining the side to Division Three play-off success in 1992, he also later managed the club before joining Walsall during the 1998/99 season.

 

For much of the decade he has been the Saddlers' Head of Youth development, but as well as the spells in caretaker charge he has also worked as first team coach.

 

GARETH PROSSER - ASSISTANT ACADEMY MANAGER U'9-U'16/TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

 

Gareth Prosser

 

A former scholar at local rivals West Bromwich Albion, Gareth joined us in July 2008 from Derby County, where he spent two years in a similar role. Prior to Derby County, Gareth worked for the FAW as Football Development Officer for Flintshire, a role which also involved him working with the FAW regional and national squads, as well as in coach education.

 

Gareth has also represented Wolves on behalf of the Premier League as a head coach on the Premier Leagues flagship international programme 'Premier Skills', which has taken him to countries including India, Kenya and China to coach coaches.

 

A UEFA 'A' coaching licence holder with a BSc (Hons) Degree in Coaching Science gained from Liverpool John Moores University, Gareth is responsible for the Under 9 - Under 16 Schoolboy programme at Wolves.

 

DARREN RYAN - ACADEMY COACH UNDER 12s-16s

 

Darren Ryanj

 

 

Darren is a former professional with Shrewsbury, Stockport, Chester and Rochdale who joined Wolves Academy permanently in the summer of 2011 having previously worked with the Under-13 team.

Darren came in to work specifically with the Under 12-16 age group on the school release programme the Academy have in place.

The role has developed as part of the co-operation between the Academy and local schools allowing players to come out of school during the day and enjoy additional coaching from Wolves.

The flexed curriculum allows schoolboys to access additional sessions including technical and tactical work, match analysis and strength and conditioning and frees up time in the evening to spend on school homework or with families.

Darren's experience as an ex-professional and his coaching ability and infectious enthusiasm for the job is viewed as a key part of this strategy as Wolves aim to compete with other Barclays Premier League teams amid ever growing standards.

ANDY MULLINER - GOALKEEPING COACH

Andy Mulliner

Having been an apprentice with Port Vale, goalkeeper Andy Mulliner went on to play semi-professionally in the Conference, Unibond League and Welsh Premier League.

Most of his appearances came with Llansantffraid (later TNS) and Caersws, including playing in the Intertoto Cup, Cup Winners' Cup, UEFA Cup and Europa League.

Capped by Wales at Under-18 level and also as a semi-professional, his tally of 471 appearances in the Welsh Premier League is a record for a goalkeeper.

Having begun his coaching career around eight years ago, within a couple of years Andy arrived at Wolves and initially looked after all the Under 9-16 keepers two nights a week.

That later extended to working with the scholars too, now also three times a week with Aljaz Cotman and Jonathan Flatt and the younger keepers via the school release programme.

Able to view the keepers in action in their Saturday and Sunday games, Andy  also watches the games back with the players afterwards to assess their performances and help their development.

He has completed his UEFA A Licence outfield and his FA A Licence goalkeeping coaching qualifications, having previously completed his 'B' licence in both outfield and goalkeeping.

ALAN TRAVIS - RECRUITMENT OFFICER

 

Alan Travis

Alan Travis arrived as Wolves Head of Recruitment in 2009, succeeding the long-serving Tony Lacey.

 

In keeping with the role Alan has already amassed over two decades of experience in youth football even before starting at Wolves.

 

Having previously worked with Wolves Academy manager Kevin Thelwell at Derby, Alan has also previously worked for Manchester City.

 

Players he has spotted during his lengthy career in recruitment include Jermaine Pennant, Liam Lawrence, Giles Barnes and Nicky Weaver. 

 

BOB BENNETT - ASSISTANT RECRUITMENT OFFICER

Bob Bennett

A member of the scouting staff since 1998, Bob turned full-time at the club in 2002.

He was initially approached by Wolves to join the club as a scout when youth coach at Willenhall Town FC having previously worked for Bilbrook Juniors.

Concentrates on the local recruitment programme and registration compliance and is well regarded for his diligence.

Bob is currently the Academy's longest serving full-time officer.

NICK LOFTUS - EDUCATION AND WELFARE OFFICER

Nick Loftus

Originally a school PE teacher, Nick became Head of Personal and Social Education and a Work Related Curriculum co-ordinator in schools in Wolverhampton and Willenhall, before joining the Academy in April 2004. 

He is also Team Manager and football Secretary for Wolverhampton Schools FA, and team manager and Vice Chairman of West Midlands Schools FA.

Nick oversees the Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence NVQ programme as the club's Core Programme Coordinator, ensuring the players achieve high standards of academic, personal and social development.  

Nick also fulfils the role as Wolves' Safeguarding Officer for Children and Vulnerable Adults.

JENNIFER RICE - ACADEMY ADMINISTRATOR/ PA TO THE ACADEMY MANAGER

Jenny Rice

Now performing a crucial administrative role for the Academy, Jenny was formerly a Naval Writer and PA to a Naval Commander.

Responsible for all Academy administrative procedures, clerical support initiatives as well as fully supporting the Academy Manager on a daily basis.

RON PICKEN - ACADEMY MATCH AND TRAINING CO-ORDINATOR

Ron Picken

Highly valued member of staff, Ron ensures the highest standards of operational management in matchplay and all training sessions.

Very well organised and motivated, he has been at the Academy over ten years and also provides a link to parents and guardians.

Having worked diligently for the Academy on a part-time basis for over a decade, Ron becamse a full-time member of staff at the start of the 2009/10 season.

MARC CAMPBELL - ACADEMY TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT OFFICER (8-12)

Marc Campbell

Marc arrived at Wolves in 2005 and started work as a Community Officer for the Community Trust department.

In July 2008 he started working with the younger age groups of the Academy and in February, 2009, he became a full time member of the Academy staff.

His role is to ensure the young players that train with the Academy receive the best technical coaching possible and to ensure they are given the best opportunity to progress through the early ranks of the Academy.

Marc also co-ordinates the Wolves Development Centre programme for young players in the community who show good ability and football potential. Wolves have development centres in Walsall and Wolverhampton.

Marc has a UEFA 'B' coaching license along with FA age-specific coaching qualifications for coaching five to 11-year olds.

PLEASE NOTE THAT OTHER MEMBERS OF THE ACADEMY STAFF ARE LISTED WITHIN THE OTHER BACKROOM SECTIONS OF THE WEBSITE.  CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE CATEGORIES. 

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